Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
607049000 | For walking assistance | 26 |
20090030482 | INTERFACE TO FES CONTROL SYSTEM - A functional electrical stimulation system for controlling the movement of a portion of a body of a subject, such as the subject's legs. The system comprises a sensor that in one arrangement is mountable to a portion of the subjects' body other than the legs, for example the torso. In another arrangement, the sensor can be mountable to a walking aid, such as a crutch. The sensor outputs signals representative of the position and/or movement of the torso or walking aid. The system also comprises a control means that receives and processes the signals output by the sensor and outputs control signals to a stimulator adapted to provide electrical stimulation to the legs via electrodes in response to the position and/or movement of the torso or walking aid as determined by the sensor. | 01-29-2009 |
20090043357 | Wireless real-time feedback control functional electrical stimulation system - The present invention relates methods for assisting a user having paralyzed muscles in walking. The methods focus on addressing foot drop and stimulating arm swing to aid in balance and mimic a “normal” person walk. The methods utilize a system capable of monitoring the gait cycle of the user and wireless transmitting signals to stimulation devices attached to the user's body. | 02-12-2009 |
20090062884 | MOVEMENT ASSIST SYSTEM - A movement assist system for assisting stably a movement of a creature, particularly a creature whose body part is paralyzed due to neuropathy or the like. According to the movement assist system, walking movement of a human is assisted according to an output from an actuator of a movement assist device. A timing of an electrical stimulation applied to the creature is adjusted by an electrical stimulation device on the basis of a signal representing an arithmetic processing result by a first controller which controls the output of the actuator. According thereto, it is possible to apply an electrical stimulation to the human at an appropriate timing from the viewpoint of maintaining an appropriate posture by considering a periodical movement state of the human even in cases where the body function is degraded, allowing the human assisted by the movement assist device to continue the walking movement. | 03-05-2009 |
20090069865 | FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS - A gait modulation system including: (a) a sensor device including a sensor adapted for associating with at least one lower limb of the patient, the sensor for transducing at least one parameter related to a gait of the patient, so as to obtain gait data related to the gait, and (b) a muscle stimulator including: (i) an electrical stimulation circuit, the circuit adapted to supply an electrical stimulation output to an electrode array for performing functional electrical stimulation of at least one muscle of the lower limb, and (ii) a microprocessor, operatively connected to the at least one sensor, the microprocessor adapted for: receiving a stream of gait information based on the gait data; processing the gait information, and controlling the stimulation output based on the processing of the gait information, and wherein the microprocessor is further adapted to identify a failure in the stream of gait information, and to consequently control the electrical stimulation circuit to deliver a fail-safe stimulation output over a portion of a duration of the failure. | 03-12-2009 |
20090118791 | Systems and Methods for Immobilizing with Change of Impedance - An electronic disabling device includes first and second electrodes positionable to establish first and second spaced apart contact points on a target having a high impedance air gap existing between at least one of the electrodes and the target. The power supply generates a first high voltage, short duration output across the first and second electrodes during a first time interval to ionize air within the air gap to thereby reduce the high impedance across the air gap to a lower impedance to enable current flow across the air gap at a lower voltage level. The power supply next generates a second lower voltage, longer duration output across the first and second electrodes during a second time interval to maintain the current flow across the first and second electrodes and between the first and second contact points on the target to enable the current flow through the target to cause involuntary muscle contractions to thereby immobilize the target. | 05-07-2009 |
20110040349 | Noninvasive electrical stimulation system for standing and walking by paraplegic patients - The present invention is concerned with functional electrical stimulation (FES) of paraplegics having spinal cord injuries (SCI), especially for the purpose of walking, where stimulation is applied to motor neurons below the level of the SCI. Specifically, the invention is concerned with FES in closed-loop where closed loop operation is provided by wireless feedback by EMG signals recorded via noninvasive surface EMG electrodes. No wire connections are required between the EMG electrodes and a signal processor (SP) for providing the feedback signal to the SP. Also, no wire feedback is required to send timing information from the stimulation signal generator to blocking circuits, in cases where such circuits are required to protect the wireless transmitters of the feedback information from being damaged by the stimulation pulses. Wireless operation is facilitated by miniature chips (receivers and transmitters), such as used in the Bluetooth technology. Hence, the paraplegic users are not burdened with any wires that are otherwise needed for closed-loop operation and with the need to connect them between the patient's back, legs, and a pocket-borne control box. Furthermore, closed loop operation frees the patients from the need to manually adjust stimulation levels with progression of muscle fatigue. | 02-17-2011 |
20110137375 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTION OF INVERSION AND EVERSION OF THE FOOT USING A MULTI-CHAMBER INSOLE - A system includes at least three sensors, an electrode array, a muscle stimulator, and a microprocessor. The sensors are configured to be arranged substantially in a common plane and associated with a foot of a body. Additionally, each of the sensors are configured to produce a signal associated with an orientation of the foot. The electrode array is coupled to a lower limb of the body and configured to stimulate at least one muscle of the lower limb. The muscle stimulator is coupled to the electrode array and configured to output a muscle stimulation signal to the electrode array. The microprocessor is coupled to the sensors and configured to calculate an orientation of the foot based on the signals produced by the sensors. Additionally, the microprocessor is configured to control the muscle stimulation output via the muscle stimulator based on the calculated orientation of the foot. | 06-09-2011 |
20110152968 | ORTHOSIS FOR A GAIT MODULATION SYSTEM - A functional electrical stimulation (FES) orthosis for FES to a limb segment, including: (a) a semi-rigid, self-retaining C-shaped frame, the frame configured to substantially envelop the limb segment, the frame including a first flexible and elongated circumferentially retaining element and at least a first and a second opposing flexible and elongated circumferentially retaining elements disposed on the circumferentially opposite side of the frame, the first retaining element and the first opposing retaining element forming a pair of opposing retaining elements, and (b) a surface electrical stimulation electrode for contacting at least one stimulation point on a surface of the limb segment, associated with, and supported by, the frame, the surface electrode for electrically associating, via the frame, with a neuroprosthetic stimulator unit, so as to provide FES, wherein the opposing retaining elements are configured to be radially spring-loaded towards a center of the frame, such that in donning the orthosis around the limb segment, the limb segment applies a counter-pressure from within the frame, against the opposing retaining elements, such that the orthosis is firmly and fixedly self-retained in a pre-determined position on the surface. | 06-23-2011 |
20110208266 | Apparatus for Applying Electrical Current to a User's Leg Muscles - The invention relates to apparatus for applying electrical current to the quadriceps muscle. The apparatus is in the form of a garment (to be worn on a user's thigh) having a integrated programmable stimulation device including integral electronics, LCD display, user controls and a battery. To ensure accurate and repeatable positioning of the garment, it is shaped such that it locates above the patella. Furthermore, reference lines are provided on the skin facing surface of the garment to assist the user in the accurate placement of skin engaging electrodes. In combination, the features of the invention provides a safe and convenient means of electrically stimulating the quadriceps muscle irrespective of patient size whilst minimizing the opportunity for error. Moreover, the invention dispenses with the need to employ a skilled clinician to individually place each electrode. | 08-25-2011 |
20110238131 | LEG ELECTRIC SHOCK SWITCH OF ELECTRONIC WALKING AID - A leg electric shock switch of an electronic walking aid comprises an upper insulating plate having a restoring resilience; an upper electrode plate, installed below the upper insulating plate; a lower insulating plate; a lower electrode plate, installed above the lower insulating plate; an isolating element, being a plate made of an insulating material, and coupled between the upper electrode plate and the lower electrode plate, and including a plurality of through holes; such that if the upper insulating plate is touched and pressed, the upper electrode plate will produce a deformation, and the upper electrode plate will be passed through the through hole and electrically contacted and connected to the lower electrode plate. Therefore, the manufacturing procedure is simplified and the cost is lowered to achieve the effects of improving the cost-effectiveness of the manufacture, promoting the application of low-cost consuming materials, and enhancing the product competiveness. | 09-29-2011 |
20110295339 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STABILIZING, IMPROVING MOBILITY, AND CONTROLLING CARTILAGE MATRIX DEGRADATION OF WEIGHT-BEARING ARTICULAR JOINTS - An apparatus and method for improving mobility and/or the quality of synovial fluid of an affected articular joint are disclosed, wherein the joint is associated with at least a first muscle group and at least a second muscle group each having an antagonistic relationship for effecting mobility of the joint through a range of motion when recruited by natural neural impulses. The apparatus and method include an electro-medical device configured to apply motor-level electrical stimulation in a multiphasic pattern via at least a first channel and at least a second channel, the multiphasic pattern being programmed into the electro-medical device and corresponding to the sequence of an electromyographic output for the joint; at least two first electrodes connected to the at least first channel of said electro-medical device, the at least two first electrodes being positioned proximate to the at least first muscle group; at least two second electrodes connected to the at least second channel of said electro-medical device, the at least two second electrodes being positioned proximate to the at least second muscle group; and an applicator configured to be worn on the articular segment such that the at least two first electrodes and the at least two second electrodes are disposed between the applicator and the articular segment, the applicator being further configured to reduce compressive forces on at least one compartment of the affected joint. | 12-01-2011 |
20120059432 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REFLEX-BASED FUNCTIONAL GAIT TRAINING - A device and method for gait training, such as for rehabilitation of a person after a stroke is provided. In some embodiments, the device comprises a stimulator, preferably electric stimulator, for provoking a spinal cord withdrawal reflex in the person by stimulation on the person's foot in response to a control signal. Hereby, the person's leg will move and initiate a gait swing. A sensor is placed to sense movement of the leg and provide a feedback signal accordingly. A processor unit with a processor runs a control algorithm which calculates the control signal in response to the feedback signal. Thus, the method is based on a closed-loop design, and the control signal is preferably calculated for each walking step, and it is preferably based on the feedback signal obtained from the preceding walking step. Hereby reflex habituation can be accounted for. Preferably, the stimulator has a plurality of stimulator channels with electrodes placed on different sites distributed on the sole of the foot and on the heel. The feedback signal may be based on accelerometer(s), and/or gyroscope(s), and/or goinometer(s) positioned on the leg and/or foot, e.g. partly or fully integrated in an in-sole for a shoe etc. | 03-08-2012 |
20120197343 | APPARATUS FOR FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION OF THE BODY - A controller is provided for a functional electrical stimulator for attachment to a leg comprising, a connector for a foot switch for sensing foot rise or foot strike, a circuit for responding to said foot switch for generating stimulation pulses and a connector for first and second electrodes for attachment to the leg for supplying stimulation pulses from said circuit The circuit includes a voltage divider of which the foot switch when connected comprises one element, a second element being provided by a digital potentiometer forming part of the controller. A micro controller is configured to make adaptive adjustment of the resistance of said digital potentiometer to take account of the resistance characteristics of the foot switch to provide an output or reference voltage permitting an open/closed state of the switch to be monitored. In an embodiment, manually operable external control devices form part of said controller and the micro controller is configured on operation of said external control devices to change between a working state in which stimulation pulses are provided depending on the state of the foot switch and a setup state for entry using the external control devices of parameters defining characteristics of the stimulation pulses. | 08-02-2012 |
20120239112 | ELECTROSTIMULATOR CAPABLE OF OUTPUTTING STABLE ELECTRIC STIMULUS - An electrostimulator comprises a boost circuit supplying a stimulus signal, first and second electrodes disposed on a skin surface, detecting a voluntary myoelectric signal and giving the stimulus signal, an amplification circuit amplifying the voluntary myoelectric signal, a controller controlling the stimulus signal in accordance with the voluntary myoelectric signal, an H-bridge circuit comprising first and third switches connected in series and connected to the second electrode, and second and fourth switches connected in series and connected to the first electrode, the first to the fourth switches being connected in parallel, an isolated DC-DC converter supplying a power to the controller and the amplification circuit, a regulator outputting a midpoint voltage of a power-supply voltage, and a third electrode connected to the regulator and a reference terminal of the amplification circuit and disposed on the skin surface. | 09-20-2012 |
20120330375 | ORTHOSIS FOR GAIT MODULATION - A functional electrical stimulation (FES) orthosis, including: a frame, an inner layer coupled to an inner surface of the frame, an electrode base, and a connector assembly. The frame is configured to substantially envelop a limb, and includes a retention portion configured to retain the frame about the limb, and a mounting portion configured to be coupled to an electrical stimulator. The electrode base is coupled to the inner layer, and is configured to couple a surface electrode to the inner layer. The frame and the inner layer are configured such that the electrode base is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the limb. The connector assembly is configured to electrically couple the stimulator to the electrode base. At least a portion of the connector assembly is disposed within a connector opening defined by the frame. | 12-27-2012 |
20130013026 | SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION OF NERVES - A system for treatment of gait disorders reflects, with electrical stimulation patterns fed to electrodes ( | 01-10-2013 |
20130131757 | MUSCLE FATIGUE METER - A functional electrical stimulation system for moving at least a portion of a body of a subject, e.g., legs. Such a system includes: a stimulator that can provide a plurality of sets of functional electrical stimulation to the legs, one or more transducers that outputs signals representative of the movement made by the legs in response to the functional electrical stimulation provided thereto, and a controller. The controller compares the output signals of the transducers resulting from the provision of two or more substantially equivalent sets of electrical stimulation to the legs and provide an output indicative of variation in the movement. The controller also, e.g., can compare the level of electrical stimulation output by the stimulator to achieve an equivalent movement of the legs so as to recognize an increase in such stimulation, where an increase can be indicative of fatigue in the leg muscles. | 05-23-2013 |
20130211474 | SYSTEM FOR STIMULATION OF NERVES - In a system for stimulation of nerves comprising implanted electrodes, an external to the system trigger device is equipped with a sensor and a transmitter for wirelessly broadcasting a signal to be received by a pulse generator for generating a pulse pattern to be forwarded to the at least one electrode implanted in the corpus of the living being. Further the trigger device is equipped with means for detecting if the patient is walking or just standing pulling the weight from one leg to another and can thus determine if a stimulation sequence has to be performed. | 08-15-2013 |
20140094873 | FOOTWEAR PRODUCT FOR FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - A product, e.g. an insole for a shoe, fitting onto a person's foot sole based on a platform (SM) of a flexible and electrically isolating material. Multiple stimulation electrodes (S | 04-03-2014 |
20140128939 | FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION (FES) METHOD AND SYSTEM TO IMPROVE WALKING AND OTHER LOCOMOTION FUNCTIONS - A method and system which provides wireless, noninvasive electrical stimulation to different muscle groups to allow the user to conduct physical activities, such as walking, by stimulating various muscle groups in the body at the correct times of activation or by stimulating muscle groups in a simulation mode when standing, sitting or lying down, whereby walking is not required to stimulate the various muscle groups. The system provides a small portable wearable system which utilizes available software, including Bluetooth technology, to provide electrical nerve stimulating pulses with low current, minimal phase charge which is controlled remotely and induce desired muscle contraction with increased comfort for the user. The present method and system applies electrical stimulation with accurate timing, based on a three-dimensional motion sensor, as a trigger to initiate stimulation and which is adapted to turn itself on and off when not walking. | 05-08-2014 |
20140148873 | JOINT REHABILITATION APPARATUS AND TECHNIQUE - An embodiment includes simultaneously supplying direct current (DC) energy to recondition cartilage of a knee joint while simultaneously protecting that cartilage by supplying alternating current (AC) energy to stimulate muscle tissue contralateral to the cartilage to at least partially decompress the cartilage and at least partially support the joint. Other embodiments are described herein. | 05-29-2014 |
20140180361 | NEUROSTIMULATOR - A neurostimulator device for use with groups (e.g., more than four groups) of electrodes. The neurostimulator may include a stimulation assembly configured to deliver different stimulation to each of the groups. The neurostimulator may also include at least one processor configured to direct the stimulation assembly to deliver stimulation to the groups. The stimulation delivered to at least one of the groups may include one or more waveform shapes other than a square or rectangular wave shape. The processor may receive data from one or more sensors and use that data to modify the stimulation delivered. The neurostimulator may be configured to communicate with an external computing device. The neurostimulator may send data to and/or receive data and/or instructions from the computing device. The computing device may use information collected by one or more sensors to at least partially determine stimulation parameters to communicate to the neurostimulator. | 06-26-2014 |
20140249600 | COLLECTING GAIT INFORMATION FOR EVALUATION AND CONTROL OF THERAPY - A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. The medical device or another device may periodically determine an activity level or gait parameter of the patient, and associate each determined level or parameter with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one activity metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy parameter sets based on the activity levels or parameters associated with that therapy parameter set. Whether the patient is currently experiencing or anticipated to experience gait freeze caused by their neurological disorder, such as Parkinson's disease, may also be determined. Gait freeze events may be associated with current therapy parameters and used to determine activity metric values. In some examples, the activity metric associated with certain therapy parameters may be presented to a user. | 09-04-2014 |
20150080979 | FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS - A gait modulation system including: (a) a sensor device including a sensor adapted for associating with at least one lower limb of the patient, the sensor for transducing at least one parameter related to a gait of the patient, so as to obtain gait data related to the gait, and (b) a muscle stimulator including: (i) an electrical stimulation circuit, the circuit adapted to supply an electrical stimulation output to an electrode array for performing functional electrical stimulation of at least one muscle of the lower limb, and (ii) a microprocessor, operatively connected to the at least one sensor, the microprocessor adapted for: receiving a stream of gait information based on the gait data; processing the gait information, and controlling the stimulation output based on the processing of the gait information, and wherein the microprocessor is further adapted to identify a failure in the stream of gait information, and to consequently control the electrical stimulation circuit to deliver a fail-safe stimulation output over a portion of a duration of the failure. | 03-19-2015 |
20150100104 | CONTROLLER UNIT FOR A FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION (FES) ORTHOTIC SYSTEM - Various embodiments are described herein for a method and system for facilitating a gait of a user with a functional electrical stimulation (FES) orthotic system. In some described embodiments, the method includes receiving a foot orientation indicator for a foot of the user; receiving a body inclination indicator for the user; determining a motion state based on the foot orientation indicator and the body inclination indicator; and defining signal parameters for a stimulation signal based on at least the motion state. The motion state can indicate a movement status of the user and therefore, the stimulation signal can be applied to the user for facilitating the gait of the user. | 04-09-2015 |
20150100105 | SENSOR UNIT FOR A FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION (FES) ORTHOTIC SYSTEM - Various embodiments are described herein for a method and system for improving a gait of a user with a functional electrical stimulation (FES) orthotic system. In some described embodiments, the method includes receiving motion information associated with the gait of the user; generating a foot orientation indicator for the foot based on a foot acceleration and a foot angular velocity provided in the motion information; determining a foot condition based on at least the foot orientation indicator and the foot acceleration; and adjusting signal parameters for a stimulation signal based on at least the foot condition. The foot condition can indicate a gait quality of the user and therefore, the stimulation signal is applied to the user to adjust an orientation of the foot when the gait quality of the user requires improvement. | 04-09-2015 |